ESMA imposed by Delhi govt on doctors who refused to call-off strike

According to reports, the Delhi government imposed ESMA act on resident doctors on strike, who failed to resume work by 11 am as ordered by the government.

On Monday evening, the Delhi government accepted all the demands of the resident doctors in the city who had called for an indefinite strike.

Earlier on Monday, more than 2,000 doctors from 20 hospitals in the national capital, including Safdarjung Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Maulana Azad Medical College and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital went on an indefinite strike. Several issues have been highlighted by the striking doctors, including adequate life saving and generic drugs. The other demands include security at workplace, drinking water supply and timely payment of their salaries.

According to the doctors, the government has failed to take steps to fulfil their demands. Reports said that the doctors had earlier written to the Union Health Ministry to look into their demands.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain stated that the strike was not a solution to any issue, adding that he had called the doctors for talks on Sunday, but they failed to make it. The minister further said that he had still invited the striking doctors for talks. Earlier in February, a similar strike was called by the resident doctors regarding the same set of demands.